FILENAMES: Face-Al1.jpg Face-Al2.jpg DESCRIPTION: These are pictures illustrating surface finish on aluminum. Posted by Ted Edwards . The following description was provided: ================================================================= Machining Aluminum by Ted Edwards see also: Face-Al1.jpg Face-Al2.jpg A recent post to r.c.m. asked about getting a good finish facing aluminum. Various responses suggested one has to use HSS cutters, carbide could be used but had to be run really fast, cutting fluid is essential, ..., on and on as usual. Now, I realise that mirror finishes can be obtained using diamond cutters on ultra rigid machines but what can an HSM realistic expect? I made a part the other day for my neighbour. The part was machined from a 7/8" 6061-T6 rod. The portion shown in Face-Al1.jpg was machined and cut off in the bandsaw, turned around in the chuck and faced off. The photo was taken and the part was put to use. When I read the post re facing, I went over to my shop and faced off the end of the rest of the rod. The result along with the tool used is shown in Face-Al2.jpg. The tool used is shown in Face-Al2.jpg. The setup had not been changed since the part was made. The TNMP-321 insert is not new. In fact, it has seen a fair bit of use. The tool holder is as described in my article < http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/toolholder/toolholder.html >. The lathe is a (much maligned by certain people) Smithy 3-in-1 running at 1000rpm. The cross feed was turned by hand with the carriage locked. No lube or cutting fluid was used. No polishing was done. What you see is as machined.